Now it’s time for our second visit to the show that we think about all year round. It’s Spank! hosted by the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge and the also terrific Evan Desmarais – at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at 23:55 on Wednesday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 16th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”
Spank on a Wednesday night? Why not! It always gets a great crowd no matter which night you go. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Thursday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
Another brilliant Spank with a sold out audience loving every minute. We started with the inimitable Lolly Jones whom we saw last year and whose show we’re due to see tomorrow; then the intimidatingly funny Emmanuel Sonubi; the smart talking Georgie Morrell; the absolutely brilliant Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, whom we really need to see again; the very funny Gareth Waugh, and the amazing Tom Houghton whose act ended with the best series of callbacks I’ve ever encountered. The naked promo was from John and Veronica promoting their show which involved a little spanking (appropriately) and the whole thing was hosted by James and Evan on blistering form – their final co-hosting of this year. Who will host Friday’s show, which we’re also seeing…. only time will tell…
Now it’s time for the show that we look forward to the whole year round. It’s the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge and the totally fantastic Evan Desmarais presenting Spank! at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at 23:55 on Monday 19th. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 16th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”
This will be our first of three visits this week, and to say we’re excited is to say a very considerable underestimate of how we’re feeling. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Tuesday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the first preview blog for Tuesday should be available to read too.
I can’t resist a Spank! An excellent night, with everyone on great form. James and Evan were the hosts with the most, introducing the always reliable The Establishment, the amazing James Phelan, the unique Lost Voice Guy, the sassy Sikisa, the hilarious Tony Cantwell, the smart Ginnia Cheng and the one and only Dulcé Sloan. Great audience input from young psychologist Dr Harrison and 20 year old student Toby who did the naked promo in aid of testicular cancer research. A brilliant night out!
Now it’s time for our third and final visit to the show that’s one of our annual, must-see events. It’s the irrepressibly brilliant James Loveridge and an equally amazingly wonderful female host – not sure who she’ll be quite yet – presenting Spank! at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Saturday 25th. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 15th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”
This is also going to be our final show of the Fringe for this year. Let’s hope they give us a great send off! I’m hoping that, even though this is the Saturday show, it will still be hosted by James; they don’t seem to be doing a Spanktacular show this year. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Sunday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. And thanks so much to everyone for reading, and I hope I gave you a feel for the spirit and excitement of the Fringe – and if you didn’t come this year, you must come in 2019!!
Final night in Edinburgh, final Spank. As enduring as Arthur’s seat, as constant as the morning star. Hosting was the new dream team of James Loveridge and Evan Desmarais, and our guests were Hot Mess, a musical misanthrope called Richard, Clara Cupcakes, the brilliant Tim Renkow, Tamsyn Kelly, Ro Campbell and the superb Lauren Pattison who threw a glass of beer over a punter who wouldn’t stop talking…. well she did warn him. The naked promo was a guy called James who simply did it so he could sing Happy birthday to Megan. Always an amazing night, still unbeatable entertainment!
Next up is another of my favourite comedians, and someone else whom we’ve already seen a couple of times this week in Spank! and that’s James Loveridge at Just the Attic @ Just the Tonic at The Mash House at 21:00 on Thursday 23rd. Here’s what the blurb has to say: “Despite the world being on the brink of collapse, it’s fair to say James is the happiest he’s ever been. He’s just got engaged, his relationship with his cat has improved (subject to change), now all he has to do is not f*ck it up! Best Show nominee at Edinburgh Fringe 2016 (Amused Moose). ‘Undoubtedly the best free show that I have seen at the Fringe’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Animated and confident, with a fine sense of timing’ (Steve Bennett, Chortle.co.uk). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (Skinny). **** (ArtsAwardVoice.com). **** (EdFringeReview.com). **** (FringeBiscuit.co.uk).
That’s exactly the same blurb as last year! Oh well, if you’re onto a winning formula… That may be because he’s using some material from his last year show mixed in with some new stuff – it will be interesting to see how that works! I might as well describe him in exactly the same terms I did last year too: James has got a great stage presence and I’m looking forward to an hour of general silliness with the occasional stand back in amazement insight. Check back around 11pm to see how much fun it really was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
James is one of those comedians in whom you can have complete confidence that they will be in total control of the show, and will enjoy doing it just as much as we enjoy watching it. Crammed full of material, and with a truly punchy delivery, we hear all about the preparations for his wedding later this year and about many of his fears and concerns did it to be a great day. An enormously fun hour with more laughs than you can shake a stick at.
Now it’s time for our second visit to the show that we think about all year round. It’s Spank! hosted by the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge and an equally amazingly wonderful host – not sure who she’ll be quite yet – at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Wednesday 22nd. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 15th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”
Spank on a Wednesday night? Why not! It always gets a great crowd no matter which night you go. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Thursday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
Another day, another Spank. We didn’t get there quite as early as I’d hoped so we had to sit threw rows back (normally I’m a very front row person for this show!) James’s co-host this time was the very funny Evan Desmarais, and the guests were: Danny O’Brien (brilliant as always), Adrian Minkowicz, Lolly Jones as Theresa May, and winding up the first half, Keith Johnson, who obviously hadn’t been told that a Brit audience, even a well-lubricated one, doesn’t know how to react to plentiful use of the N word, unless they’ve been schooled first. After the interval, the excellent Clara Cupcakes, Steve Hofstetter and Fin Taylor, who always creates a rumpus, and a brilliant one at that. There were two naked promos, a guy from Inferno and a girl from a children’s show. A great night as always!
Now it’s time for the show that we look forward to the whole year round. It’s the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge and an equally amazingly wonderful female host – not sure who she’ll be quite yet – presenting Spank! at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Monday 20th. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 15th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”
This will be our first of three visits this week, and to say we’re excited is to say a very considerable underestimate of how we’re feeling. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Tuesday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the first preview blog for Tuesday should be available to read too.
As always an amazing, unpredictable night at Spank! Hosted by James and new co-host Kai Humphries, our guest artistes were Hot Mess, Josh James, Jacqueline Mifsud, and closing the first half Milo McCabe’s brilliant creation Troy Hawke. In the second half we had the pleasure of the company of burlesque performer Freda Love, newbie Sam Campbell and headliner Ivo Graham, whose set included a one-to-one mastermind with front row Steve about US State Capitalss and an educational talk from a lady in the audience about the Lotus Eaters. The naked promo was a couple of people who met during the interval and agreed that if no one else wanted to do it, they would. No other reason. An utterly bizarre, bonkers and brilliant Spank.
Over the past couple of months my pal the Squire of Sidcup and I have attended three comedy nights in various locations round London. I probably should have reviewed them individually earlier, but for some weird reason I haven’t found them that easy to write about. Was it the perplexity of the venues? The quality of the comedy? The level of alcohol consumed? I couldn’t possibly comment.
Our first event was on 4th December last year when we went to the Rose and Crown in Kentish Town, home of the Pegasus Comedy Club. The Rose and Crown is a rather nice pub and the comedy club is held in its basement. It doesn’t seat many people, and we were quite surprised to be two of about fifteen people in attendance – I thought that was quite good for a little place and for a Monday night of comics giving us some Work In Progress sessions. What we were most surprised to discover was that of those fifteen people we were the only ones not appearing on stage! So in fact it was a cast of thirteen each doing about five minutes’ material to an audience of two. Still, it was free to get in, so I’m certainly not complaining.
One consequence of that is that the host, Richard, didn’t always make the names of all the performers clear, as they were basically all friends together. As a result, I don’t have many of the names to hand. Two of the performers – and probably the two with the best delivery and material – were comics I had seen before (the Squire didn’t know any of them at all.) James Loveridge, of Edinburgh Spank (you love it!) fame, had some excellent new stuff about spending time with his fiancée; and Darren Walsh (whom Mrs Chrisparkle and I had also seen in Edinburgh) had another punful bundle of one-liners that made his five minutes fly by. We’re seeing him at the Leicester Comedy Festival next month and the omens are looking good.
There was one other comic who was new to me but who impressed – Alex Martini; a naturally very funny man with a very engaging personality. Of the rest, there were plenty who raised a number of smiles and only one who was absolutely dire.
Fast forward through the Christmas period and the Squire and I had another foray in the world of London Comedy, this time at the Top Secret Club in Drury Lane on 16th January. I could give you more information as to where it is, but then I’d have to kill you and I don’t want to risk losing my readership. Another basement affair, but this time in a room that grows and grows the more people arrive. The Squire and I sat in the front row and paid the penalty with some joshing from the excellent compere, Nico Yearwood, and also one of the comics, Leo Kearse, who challenged me to think of my chat-up tactics; as I said on the night, but it’s been so long… We also enjoyed Stephen Carlin, who had good material but lacked a little warmth, I felt; the amazing Russell Hicks, who just went off on a tangent as he always does, with fantastic consequences; and headliner Tim Renkow, who brilliantly converts his cerebral palsy into comedy gold, and if you think that sounds inappropriate, well, you obviously haven’t seen his act. A very comfortable and enjoyable venue, and a really great show. Entry was only £1, but getting out was more expensive.
Then last night the Squire and I met up with his beloved, the Wise Woman of Wembley, and, after a dreadful meal at Café Rouge (they should be ashamed of themselves) we hit the 99 Club at the Ruby Blue, just off Leicester Square. Instead of descending into a bunker we ascended up the stairs into a bright and pizzazzy bar area, with a comedy room off to the left. A rather strange set up, because it was very wide and very shallow, probably only about five rows deep but extending way out to the side, where I’m sure you would feel thoroughly distanced from the comedy vibe.
Comedically, this was a game of two halves, as we were lulled into a false sense of security by our excellent compere Tom Webb, whose welcome is genial and who plays off the audience really well. He established, for example, that Trev, who was celebrating his 55th birthday, who was provocatively seated in the front row, was an Elvis Impersonator by trade. That was bold. Having set us up nicely, Mr Webb introduced first act, Mike Gunn, and I’m afraid we all agreed that he didn’t tickle our funnybones at all. A few uncomfortable silences and half-hearted responses suggested we weren’t the only ones; although I sensed there was a language problem in the audience – one of the downsides of a comedy club in a very touristy area is that you will have a number of punters for whom English is not their first language and who don’t always get the nuances. Never mind, we knew that the excellent Athena Kugblenu, who was brilliant when we saw her at the Ark, would lift the mood. But no, she too struggled to get us difficult crowd to raise a smile.
I was beginning to feel guilty at having asked my friends out to see this disappointing show. Fortunately our headline act was the National Treasure-In-Waiting, Dane Baptiste. I’ve seen Monsieur Baptiste a few times, including his Gold Oil Drugs show in Edinburgh last summer, which he is still touring – and I was delighted to see that it was all new material last night. He smashed it out of court, to use the vernacular, and went down a storm. As an encore, Tom Webb got Trev to get up and do an Elvis playout and the good chap obliged, so more power to his elbow. But I didn’t feel that the layout worked at all for this little stage area and at £9 a ticket plus booking fee, for what was only a little over an hour-and-a-half’s show, (and distinctly London prices for the drinks) this was the most expensive of the three comedy nights.
I’m sure the Squire and I will do this again, and it’s fascinating to see the variety of comedy venues available in the capital. Even if some acts flop and others just aren’t your cup of tea, live comedy is a thing of beauty to be nurtured and cherished. If you haven’t tried it before, you really should!
Next up is another of my favourite comedians, and someone else whom we’ve already seen a few times this week in Spank! and that’s James Loveridge: Suspiciously Happy at Just the Attic @ Just the Tonic at The Mash House at 21:00 on Saturday 26th. Here’s what the blurb has to say: “Despite the world being on the brink of collapse, it’s fair to say James is the happiest he’s ever been. He’s just got engaged, his relationship with his cat has improved (subject to change), now all he has to do is not f*ck it up! Nominated Best Show Edinburgh Fringe, 2016 (Amused Moose). ‘Undoubtedly the best free show that I have seen at the Fringe’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Animated and confident, with a fine sense of timing’ (Steve Bennett, Chortle.co.uk). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (Skinny). **** (ArtsAwardVoice.com). **** (EdFringeReview.com). **** (FringeBiscuit.co.uk).”
James has got a great stage presence and I’m looking forward to an hour of general silliness with the occasional stand back in amazement insight. Check back around 10.15 pm to see how much fun it really was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
James is so irrepressively happy that it’s impossible not to warm to him and to love his account of how he and his fiancee got together and how they’re preparing for their nuptuals. It’s an hour of sheer goodwill, peppered with brilliant and hilarious stories of how he will inevitably f*ck things up. The comedy gig equivalent of a feelgood movie and highly recommended!
Now it’s time for our third and final visit to the show that’s one of our annual, must-see events. It’s the irrepressibly brilliant Abigoliah Schamaun and the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge hosting Spank! at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Friday 25th. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 14th year with sexy hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. With the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival!”
We’re seeing Spank on the Friday night this year because last year’s Saturday show, although excellent, lost a little magic for us because it wasn’t hosted by James and Abigoliah; so I’m definitely hoping they’re still on Friday duty! Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Saturday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
Tonight it was hosted by James and Tamar Broadbent and it was an absolute cracker. All the acts were on blistering form, but special mentions to Milo McCabe aka Troy Hawke, Lauren Patterson, Rosie Jones and a sensational climax (if you’ll pardon the expression) from Danny O’Brien. Just the best late night show ever!!
Now it’s time for our second visit to the show that we think about all year round. It’s Spank! hosted by the irrepressibly brilliant Abigoliah Schamaun and the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Wednesday 23rd. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 14th year with sexy hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. With the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival!”
This will be the first time we’ve seen a Spank on a Wednesday night, but it always gets a great crowd no matter which night you go. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Thursday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
Tonight’s Spank (you love it) was hosted by regular James, and from Monday night, Eleanor. Eight excellent acts included Sister Mary Macarthur doing songs from the shows, Ross and Josh interviewing a T-Rex, Archie Maddocks doing some brilliant material, Robin Boot, whom we had seen earlier in the year in Northampton, giving is his musical comedy, and the very funny Mark Nelson whom some of the audience didn’t like at all. But I did!!
Now it’s time for our second visit to the show that we think about all year round. It’s Spank! hosted by the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge and the also terrific Evan Desmarais – at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at 23:55 on Wednesday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 16th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”
